Lisbon, or Lisboa as the Portuguese would say, translates into meaning "calm port".  And Lisbon is just that....a port with a sense of calmness surrounding it. From these ports, Vasco da Gama opened trade routes with countries around the world making Lisbon one of Europe's wealthiest cities during the 15th & 16th centuries.

In 1755 on All Saints Day, there was a giant earthquake in Lisbon which leveled 70% of the city, killing 30,000 people.  As it was All Saints Day, most folks were in church and many were killed within their own parish.  One cathedral remains standing from this disasterous day, in its shell of a structure so as not to forget those who lost their lives in this catastrophe.

Lisbon is as hilly and steep as the streets of San Francisco, even featuring trolleys that conjure up a Rice-A-Roni commercial.  Although it can be a bit challenging to navigate the twists and turns of each cobblestone street, as well as the deep inclines, meandering about the city is a delight, revealing its old and its new. I recently read somewhere that Portugal is the least visited country in Western Europe.  I'm not quite sure why that is....the people are incredible hosts, the countryside is breathtaking, food is exquisite (fresh seafood) and the prices are right.  What is there NOT to love about that????  The so-called "less-traveled" Portugal has made its place as one of my favorite countries.

 

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